Having promised to write, I want to begin by telling you
that the country struck me as being as beautiful as Japan for
the limpidity of the atmosphere and gay colour effects. The
water makes patches of a beautiful emerald and a rich blue in
the landscapes, such as we see in crepons [Japanese prints]. The
pale orange setting sun making the land appear blue. Splendid
yellow suns.

Meanwhile I haven't really seen the country in its normal
summer splendor.

The costumes of the women are pretty and especially on
Sunday one sees on the boulevard very naive and well-found
colour arrangements. And that without doubt will become even
brighter in summer.

I regret that life here is not as cheap as I had hoped it
would be, and up to now I have not found better bargains than
you would find in Pont Aven.

Source:Vincent van Gogh. Letter to Emile Bernard. Written 18 March 1888 in Arles. Translated by Robert Harrison, edited by Robert Harrison, number B02.URL: http://webexhibits.org/vangogh/letter/18/B02.htm.